Poweshiek County's composite score of 69.6 ranks it in the 70th percentile nationally, solidly above the national median of 50.0. It outperforms seven out of ten U.S. counties on overall livability.
2 / 5
Right at Iowa's Average
Poweshiek County scores 69.6, nearly matching Iowa's state average of 69.3 and placing it squarely in the middle tier of the state's 99 counties. It reflects typical Iowa livability across most measures.
3 / 5
Excellent Health and Strong Risk Management
Poweshiek County excels with a health score of 78.3—among the state's highest—and a risk score of 68.8, signaling economic and environmental stability. The county's effective tax rate of 1.282% is also competitive.
4 / 5
Lower Incomes Temper Overall Appeal
The income score of 25.7 reflects a median household income of $64,837, trailing stronger-performing peers in this group. While housing affordability is good at 76.7, the cost dimension still lags top performers.
5 / 5
Ideal for Health-Conscious, Stable-Seeking Residents
Poweshiek County attracts health-conscious families and retirees prioritizing solid healthcare access and economic stability over income growth. Its middle-of-the-road profile suits those seeking an average Iowa experience with reliable health systems and low volatility.
Poweshiek County's composite score of 69.6 ranks it in the 70th percentile nationally, solidly above the national median of 50.0. It outperforms seven out of ten U.S. counties on overall livability.
Right at Iowa's Average
Poweshiek County scores 69.6, nearly matching Iowa's state average of 69.3 and placing it squarely in the middle tier of the state's 99 counties. It reflects typical Iowa livability across most measures.
Excellent Health and Strong Risk Management
Poweshiek County excels with a health score of 78.3—among the state's highest—and a risk score of 68.8, signaling economic and environmental stability. The county's effective tax rate of 1.282% is also competitive.
Lower Incomes Temper Overall Appeal
The income score of 25.7 reflects a median household income of $64,837, trailing stronger-performing peers in this group. While housing affordability is good at 76.7, the cost dimension still lags top performers.
Ideal for Health-Conscious, Stable-Seeking Residents
Poweshiek County attracts health-conscious families and retirees prioritizing solid healthcare access and economic stability over income growth. Its middle-of-the-road profile suits those seeking an average Iowa experience with reliable health systems and low volatility.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Poweshiek County's effective tax rate of 1.282% sits slightly above the national median of 1.23%, placing it in the 55th percentile nationally. The median annual tax of $2,362 is 12% below the national median of $2,690, despite a median home value of $184,200 that's close to the national average.
Poweshiek ranks middle-of-the-road in Iowa
At 1.282%, Poweshiek County's effective rate is just 5% below the state average of 1.344%. The median tax of $2,362 is only 9% above the state median of $2,160, making Poweshiek a typical Iowa county by tax burden.
Poweshiek sits between high and low
Poweshiek's 1.282% rate falls between Polk (1.757%) to the east and Plymouth (1.081%) to the northwest. At $2,362 in median taxes, Poweshiek homeowners pay more than rural northern counties but less than Polk County.
Poweshiek County homeowner tax bill
A median home worth $184,200 in Poweshiek County generates roughly $2,362 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $2,341; without one, the bill is $2,384.
Standard assessment reviews apply here
Like any county, Poweshiek property owners should verify their assessments against recent comparable sales. If your assessed value appears inflated compared to similar homes sold nearby, contact the county assessor about filing an appeal.
With a 16.0% rent-to-income ratio, Poweshiek County renters exceed the national average, spending $864 monthly against a median household income of $64,837—below both state and national medians. This combination creates meaningful housing affordability pressure for local renters.
Above-average rents, below-average incomes
Poweshiek County ranks among Iowa's least affordable counties, with a 16.0% rent-to-income ratio well above the state average of 14.1%. The high burden reflects above-average rents paired with below-average local incomes.
Higher rents in a rural county
Poweshiek County's $864 rent exceeds most rural neighbors—Palo Alto County ($599), Pocahontas County ($743), and Page County ($731)—but trails the metro-influenced Pottawattamie County ($970). The relatively high rural rent likely reflects its proximity to small college towns like Grinnell.
Ownership significantly more expensive
Renters pay $864 monthly while homeowners spend $1,060, with median home values at $184,200—creating a steep 23% ownership premium. Against the $64,837 median income, renters spend 16% while owners commit 19.7%—making renting substantially more accessible here.
Renters find better value than buyers
Relocating to Poweshiek County makes more sense for renters than homebuyers, as ownership costs consume nearly a fifth of median income. The county's college-town character and above-average rents suggest it appeals to transient populations rather than long-term homebuyers.
Poweshiek County's median household income of $64,837 falls about $9,900 short of the national median of $74,755. This gap indicates lower earning potential than most American counties.
Below Iowa Average by $5,000
Poweshiek County's $64,837 median income trails Iowa's state average of $69,830 by roughly $5,000 annually. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier statewide, typical of central Iowa's rural agricultural areas.
Mixed Performance in Central Iowa
Poweshiek County ($64,837) underperforms Polk County ($81,621) and Pottawattamie County ($71,446) but edges out Pocahontas County ($63,423). The variance reflects differences between rural and metro-adjacent economies.
Housing Costs Strain Moderate Incomes
Poweshiek County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio pushes toward affordability concerns, despite median home values of $184,200. Households earning $64,837 find housing costs consuming a significant share of already-modest incomes.
Discipline Saves the Day
Poweshiek County residents earning $64,837 must prioritize consistent saving and avoid lifestyle inflation as income grows. Even small monthly contributions to index funds or employer retirement plans compound substantially over working years.
At 78.2 years, Poweshiek County's life expectancy beats the U.S. average by 1.1 years and ranks among America's healthiest rural counties. A 15.9% poor or fair health rate reflects below-average self-assessed health struggles, suggesting resilient population longevity despite daily challenges.
Top health outcomes in Iowa
Poweshiek County ranks in Iowa's upper quartile with a 78.2-year life expectancy—0.5 years above the state average of 77.7. The 4.5% uninsured rate ties Plymouth County for the lowest in this profile, demonstrating both excellent coverage and health outcomes.
Regional leader in health and access
Poweshiek County's 78.2-year life expectancy leads most neighbors and trails only Plymouth County (79.0) by 0.8 years. With 86 primary care providers and 168 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Poweshiek has built balanced healthcare infrastructure that serves its population well.
Low uninsured rate supports longevity
Poweshiek County's 4.5% uninsured rate ranks among Iowa's best, ensuring nearly all residents can access preventive and acute care. The 86 primary care providers per 100,000 residents provide strong baseline access, while 168 mental health providers per 100K support behavioral health needs across the county.
Maintain Poweshiek's coverage success
With just 4.5% uninsured, Poweshiek County has achieved exceptional healthcare coverage that contributes directly to its above-average life expectancy. If you're among the minority without coverage, visit Healthcare.gov to join your neighbors and secure the protection that's helping Poweshiek lead Iowa in health outcomes.
Poweshiek County enjoys below-average disaster risk
At 31.27, Poweshiek County's composite risk score sits comfortably below the U.S. average, earning a Very Low rating. This reflects a generally safer natural disaster environment with modest exposure across most hazard types.
Among Iowa's safer counties by risk ranking
Poweshiek County's 31.27 score ranks well below Iowa's average of 39.68, placing it in the safer half of the state's counties. This low-risk profile makes it a relatively secure location for residents concerned about natural disasters.
Poweshiek offers safer ground than surrounding peers
Neighboring Polk County (91.98) carries vastly higher risk, while Page County (40.20) also exceeds Poweshiek's exposure. Poweshiek County represents a notably safer pocket within central Iowa's risk landscape.
Tornadoes your main hazard, wildfire secondary
Tornado risk (59.76) is your primary concern, though moderate compared to other Iowa counties. Wildfire risk (46.06) is secondary, while flood (20.26) and earthquake (25.60) risks remain relatively low.
Standard insurance with tornado coverage suffices
Poweshiek County residents should maintain homeowners insurance with comprehensive tornado and wind damage coverage as their primary protection. A designated safe room and basic emergency supplies provide additional security during severe weather season.